A teacher told the inquest that Zara Qairina was accused by classmates of stealing money days before she was found unconscious and later died.
KOTA KINABALU: A teacher testified that Zara Qairina Mahathir was accused by classmates of stealing money just days before her death.
Mohd Sham M. Nasir, 26, told the Coroner’s Court the incident occurred on July 14, 2025, after a student reported losing RM20 in a science laboratory.
The Geography teacher said he questioned the class and conducted a spot check on all students present, including Zara Qairina, but found no money.
READ MORE: Coroner to visit scene of Zara Qairina’s death next week
“I personally checked the school bags, wallets, trouser pockets and shirt pockets of male students,” said Mohd Sham, the 61st witness.
He stated that for female students, he asked the assistant class monitor to conduct the checks during the 10 to 15-minute inspection.
Mohd Sham testified that after the spot check, the lesson continued as usual.
He said the student who lost the money later handed him a piece of paper bearing Zara Qairina’s name.
Several other students then voiced suspicions against her, claiming they had also previously lost money.
The witness stressed that he advised the students not to make accusations without evidence.
He said several students followed him after class, repeating the allegations, but he again cautioned them against making unproven claims.
In the same proceedings, Mohd Sham explained he was appointed as a hostel warden starting August 2025.
He detailed the hostel’s duty structure, patrol schedule, and security system, including CCTV cameras and shift-based guards.
The witness agreed with the deputy public prosecutor that, based on the July 2025 duty roster, no warden was on duty on the night of July 15.
Mohd Sham also told the court he was not provided with formal guidelines or a duty list while serving as a hostel teacher prior to his warden appointment.
He further acknowledged that the classroom spot check was conducted without reference to any standard operating procedures.
The inquest continues next week.
The court also fixed next Friday for a locus in quo visit to the school hostel where the incident occurred.
Zara Qairina, 13, died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17 and was buried the same day.
She was found unconscious in a drain near her school hostel at about 4 am on July 16.
On Aug 8, the Attorney General’s Chambers directed the exhumation of her body for a post-mortem examination.
The AGC ordered an inquest on Aug 13 after reviewing the police investigation report. – Bernama
